The person who creates a trust is called a trustor or a settlor. Once the ink is dry on a trust document, the trustor may think their work is over. Not true. The trust is just like an empty vessel that needs to be filled up. If you’ve created a trust, here’s what you need…
DetailsWe all do it. Procrastinate. How many times do we start to-do lists, then forget about them? Sometimes it just seems easier to make excuses than to act. Excuse-making is pretty common when it comes time to think about estate planning. Talking about death is not a comfortable thing, but it IS important to your…
DetailsSimple Estate Planning From A Distance Executors take on a lot of responsibility. Gathering assets, notifying heirs, and reviewing claims against the estate take time. It’s that much more difficult when the executor lives out of state and has to settle an estate from a distance. Difficult, but not impossible. Are You Qualified? If you’re…
DetailsSometimes It Seems Like Celebrities Have It All The world is their oyster. They’ve got money, possessions, fame, and high-paid advisers. Yet, they still make mistakes. Take acclaimed actor Phillip Seymour Hoffman as an example. He died unexpectedly at age 46, leaving behind his long-time girlfriend, three children – and a tangled estate mess. Failed…
DetailsYou’ll read about it every day. Another person has fallen victim to a scam or their identity has been stolen. It can take years to remove inaccurate information from creditor reports. Even worse, someone may steal your hard-earned nest egg. Understanding identity theft and other scams can help you avoid becoming a victim. Be Careful…
DetailsMany estate plans include at least one trust. They’re a common estate planning tool and, for some people, they provide solutions and benefits to common problems. Depending on your needs, there are typically three major benefits to using a living trust. Anatomy Of A Trust While there are different types of trusts, most trusts are…
DetailsAt Some Point, The Owner Of A Family-owned Business May Need To Transfer Ownership Instead of selling the business outright to a stranger, it seems best to transfer it to the employees or to family members. Maybe they’ve been loyal, hardworking, and have a real grasp of what it takes to keep the business going:…
DetailsA new year is a time for reflection. Did our lives change last year? Will they be changing in the coming year? We often make resolutions to fix a problem in our lives or make our lives better, but how many of us follow through? One way to start the new year out right is…
DetailsThough we’ve just survived another season of giving filled with carols in the air and presents under the tree, it’s not too late to think about gifts. In fact, certain types of gifting can be useful as a powerful estate planning tool. Gift-giving and estate planning go together like eggnog and sugar cookies. What Does…
DetailsIn the heat of summer, we don’t just protect ourselves with a ball cap or a little zinc oxide on our noses. No, we add extra layers of protection. We avoid dehydration by drinking more water. Too hot to go outside? Head inside for some deliciously cold AC. And sunscreen protects our skin from sunburns…
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